Reclining chair



April 20, 1965 J. D. GARRETT 3,179,466

RECLINING CHAIR Filed Nov. 15, 1962 .2 Sheets-Sheet l L 6' A W W ATTORNEY April 1955 J. D. GARRETT 3,179Q466 RECLINING CHAIR Filed Nov. 15, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofilice 3,179,466 Patented Apr. 20, 1965 3,179,466 'REQLINIIIG Q Eoseph D. Garrett, 4851 Commerce Road, @rchard Lake, Mich. Filled Nov. 15, 1962, er. No. 23707 11 (Claims. (61!. 29738) This invention relates to reclining type lounging chairs, and more particularly to a reclining chair having a headrest hidden during the upright position and operable in the reclined position.

There are many reclining type chairs available which permit the user to move the seat and backrest into reclining positions for added comfort and convenience. Generally, some head support is necessary for the comfort of the user when the chair is in the reclined position. However, in most of these chairs the headrest necessarily extends above the back of the chair, either as a separate part of the chair or as a part of the backrest of the chair, making the unit somewhat grotesque or somewhat distorted in relation to other furniture with which the chair is placed. It has been sought to avoid this problem by complicated and cumbersome linkage arrangements which permit a movable headrest to disappear into the back of the chair or elsewhere when the chair is in the upright position, such complicated and cumbersome link-age systems adding greatly to the cost of the chair and providing numerous operational and adjustment problems.

The construction in which this invention is embodied comprises, generally, a reclining type chair having a backrest and seat member pivotally secured between the side members forming the arms and a chair back member pivotally secured to the same side members. The chair back member is provided with two pOl'tlOIlS, the lower of which is thinner in front-to-rear dimension than is the uppe The upper portion forms the headrest when the chair is reclined. In the upright position of the chair the backrest and seat member is supported by and engages the upper portion of the back member, and the top of the back member is at substantially the same height as the top of the backrest and seat member. When the chair is reclined, by means of the shifting weight of the user, the backrest and seat member tilt rearwardly and the back member tilts rearwardly such that the backrest and seat member is supported and engages the lower portion of the back member. In such a position the upper portion of the back member serves as a head rest for the user and extends upwardly in a smooth continuation of the backrest and seat member. Side wings may be provided on the back member which overlap the edge of the backrest and seat member to hide the necessary linkage system or other means for permitting the reclining of the chair.

This construction provides a piece of furniture which may easily be made in harmony with other furniture and which is simple and uncomplicated to manufacture and operate. The chair is attractive in any position and fully provides the necessary head support when reclined. When upright the head support portion is completely hidden and the chair has the appearance of a normal nonreclining chair.

These and other advantages will becomemore apparent from the following description and drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the chair in which the invention is embodied, the chair being shown in an upright position;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the chair shown in FIGURE 1, with parts broken away and in section, and taken along the line 2--2 of FIGURE 1, and illustrating the chair in an upright position;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of the chair illustrated in FIGURE 1, with parts broken away and in section, and illustrating the chair in a reclined position;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view, with parts broken away and in section, of a modification of the chair shown in (li- IGURE 1, illustrating the chair in an upright position; an

FIGURE 5 is an elevational View, with parts broken away and in section, illustrating the modification shown in FIGURE 4 in a reclined position.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIGURE 1 best illustrates the overall chair construction in the upright position. As is shown, side members 10 and 12 are disposed in spaced relation and may be of suitable height to form the arms of the chair. Legs 14 may, if desired, be provided to space the side members 10 and 12 from the floor. A backrest and seat member, illustrated generally by the numeral 16, is provided with a seat portion 18 and a back supporting portion 20 for the user of the chair. As will become hereinafter more apparent the backrest and seat member 16 is pivotally supported between the side members 10 and 12.

Disposed below and in front of the seat portion 18 is a footrest, illustrated generally by the numeral 22, for supporting the feet of the user when the chair is reclined.

Behind the backrest portion 20 of the backrest and seat member 16, and supporting the member 16, is a back member, illustrated generally by the numeral 24, which is pivotally supported on the side members 16 and 12 as will become hereinafter more apparent. It may be noted from viewing FIGURE 1 that the top of the back:

member 24 is at substantially the same height as the top of the backrest portion 20 of the backrest and seat member 16, and that no headrest is in evidence.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES 2 and 3, the inner portions of the chair become apparent. The seat portion 18 of the seat and backrest member 16 is pro-' vided with a pair of legs as, one on each side thereof and only one of which is shown, which receive a pivot pin 28 suitably secured in the side member 12. Similarly, the

back member 24 at the base thereof receives pivot pins 36 only one of which is shown, which are suitably These are the lower portion 32, an intermediate portion 3 and an upper portion 36. Upper portion 36 is the part of the back member 24 which serves as a headrest when the chair is in the reclined position. Intermediate portion 34 is of lesser dimension front-to-rear than is the upper portion 36 for. purposes to becomehereinafter more apparent. Lower portion 3-2 serves as a support means and receives the pivot 3% about which the back member 24 is allowed to tilt.

Connecting the back member 24 and the backrest and seat member 16 are a pair of links 38, one on each side of the chair structure. Each link 33 is pivoted at one end, as at 40, to the back member 24 and is pivoted at the other end, as at 42, to the backrest and seat member 16. Links 38 serve to coordinate the movement of the members =16 and 24 when the chair is reclined and maintains contact between the backrest and seat member 16 and the back member 24 in the various positions.

At the forward end of the seat portion 18 of the backrest and seat member 16 a footrest construction 22 may be provided. Footrest 22 has a pair of arms extending upwardly therefrom, one adjacent each of the side members 1!) and 12. Arms 44 are pivotally supported on the side members iii and 12 by suitable pivots 46. Extending downwardly from the seat portion 18 are a pair of arms 3,1 "Io/tee 43, the arms being fixedly secured to the backrest and seat member 16. Links pivoted to the arm 48, as

at 52, and pivoted to the arms 44, as at 54, coordinate the movement of the footrest relative to the backrest and seat member 16.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the above-described construction in its reclined position. It is to be noted that in FIG- URE 2 the back of the backrest and seat member 16 engages and is supported by the headrest portion 36 of the back member 24. In the reclined position, as in FIG- URE 3, the backrest and seat portion 16 are engaged and supported by the intermediate portion 3% of the back member 24, and the headrest portion 36 of the back member 24 extends upwardly and beyond the back portion 2t) of the backrest and seat member 16. The links maintain the proper engagement and location of the two members. Thus, the backrest and seat member is pivots about pivot points 23 and the back member pivots about pivot points 3th in order to tilt to the proper position. The placement of the pivot points is such as to provide the proper relative location of the parts in both the upright and the reclined positions.

in FIGURE 3 it is also noted that the footrest 22 tilts forwardly and upwardly as the backrest and seat member is tilted rearwardly. Footrest 22 pivots about the pivot point 46 through the action of the links 5%? and lugs 48 as the backrest and seat member 16 rotates.

In order to hide the link members 3% and the shape of the inner portion of the back member 24 in either the reclined or upright positions of the chair, side Wing inernbers 56 may be provided. These wing members may be integrally formed with the back member 24 or may be separate pieces secured thereto. Wing members 56 are so constructed as to extend from the back member 24 and suitably overlap the back supporting portion 29 of the backrest, and seat member 16. This effectively hides the links 38, or other operating means.

In the modification illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, like reference numerals denote generally like parts. In this modification, in order to maintain proper engagement between the backrest and seat member 16 and the back member 24, a track 60 may be secured to one of the members. As illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, track Gil is secured to the back of the back portion of the backrest and seat member 16. .A similar track may be located on the opposite side of the back portion 20 if desired. A suitable roller 62 is pivotally mounted as on pivot 64 to the forward edge of the back member 24, the roller 62 being adapted to ride in the track Ztl as the chair is reclined. A suitable spring as is secured at one end to the side member 12, as at 68, and is secured at the other end to the lower portion 32 of the back member 2 as at W. The spring serves to maintain contact between the roller 62 and the track 60 as the chair is reclined. Other types of track and follower members may be provided to accomplish the same purpose, such, for example, as a channel-shaped track receiving a suitable roller which, with proper counterbalancing in the backrest and seat member, would permit elimination of the spring 66.

FIGURES 4 and 5 also illustratea modification in the shape of the back portion 20 of the backrest and seat member 16. Back portion 20 is tapered toward the top to even more give the effect of no headrest in the upright position. The support against the back member 24 is substantially the same as in the chair of FIGURES 1-3.

The specific construction of the various parts of the chair with respect to upholstery, framework and the like, may be of anything suitable to provide the proper comfort and support. Since the tilting movement of the backrest and seat member and the back member is caused by the shifting of the weight of the user from one position to the other, the construction of the chair must be such as to support the user in all positions and to provide the necessary support between the back and the backrest and seat member 16.

Thus, a reclining chair is provided which is much more in harmony with other types of f rniture than are presently existing chairs of this type. The provision for hiding the headrest behind the backrest and seat member permits much greater latitude in design and construction of the reclining type chair to adapt it to many types of furniture styling. The actuating levers, links and the like are extremely uncomplicated and simple, requiring little or no adjustment and being positive in operation at all times.

What is claimed is:

1. In a reclining type chair:

a pair of spaced side members;

a back member pivotally supported on said side memb rs and having a recess formed therein and spaced from the top thereof;

member 24 a backrest and seat member pivotally supported on said side members and being supported rearwardly by the portion of said back member above said recess when in an upright position, said backrest and seat member being positioned forwardly of said back member and extending as high as said portion above said recess to hide said portion above said recess when in said upright position;

said backrest and seat member and said back member being tiltable rearwardly to a reclined position with the backrest portion of said backrest and seat member received in said recess to expose said portion of said back member above said recess, said portion above said recess forming a headrest, and said backrest and seat member and said portion of said back member above said recess forming a substantially continuous and uninterrupted supporting surface;

and means connecting said back member and said backrest and seat member to coordinate movement therebetween.

2. In the reclining type chair set forth in claim 1, said means connecting said back member'and said backrest and seat member including a link member pivotally connected at one end to said back member and pivotally connected to said backrest and seat member at the other end, said link member maintaining said backrest and seat member against said portion or" said back member above said recess when in said upright position and against the portion of said back member Within said recess when in said reclined position.

3. A reclining chair comprising:

a pair of spaced side members;

a one-piece backrest and seat member including a back portion and a seat portion, said seat portion being pivotally secured on said side members to permit rearward tilting movement of said backrest and seat member relative to said side members;

a back member pivotally supported on said side members to penrit rearward tilting movement thereof relative to said side members, said back member having a headrest portion and an intermediate por tion, said headrest portion being positioned rearwardly of and extending only as high as said back portion of said backrest and seat member and engaging and supporting said backrest and seat member in one position and extending beyond said back portion of said backrest and seat member in another position to continue the surface of said back portion, and said intermediate portion engaging and supporting said backrest and seat member in said other position;

and means connecting said back member and said backrest and seat member to coordinate movement therebetween and to maintain said back member in supporting engagement with said backrest and seat member.

4. The reclining chair set forth in claim 3 wherein said means connecting said back member and said backrest and seat member includes a link member pivotally secured at one end to said back member and pivotally secured to said backrest and seat member at the other end, said link member maintaining said backrest and seat member against said headrest portion in said one position and against said intermediate portion in said other position of said chair.

5. The reclining chair set forth in claim 3 wherein said means connecting said back member and said backrest and seat member includes a track secured to one of said members and a roller secured to the other of said members and adapted to engage said track, and spring means between said back member and one of said side members and biasing said back member toward said backrest and seat member to maintain engagement between said roiler and said track in all positions of said chair.

6. The reclining chair set forth in claim 3 and further including a footrest member pivotally connected to said backrest and seat member and pivotally connected to said side members, and link means between said footrest member and said backrest and seat member to extend said footrest member upwardly and outwardly when said backrest and seat member is moved rearwardly.

7. A reclining chair having an upright position and a reclined position and comprising:

spaced side members;

a one-piece seat and backrest member extending between said side members and being pivotally supported thereon;

a back member extending between said side members and being pivotal thereon and extending only as high as and being positioned rearwardly of said seat and backrest member when in said upright position to be hidden by said seat and backrest member,

said back member including a headrest portion and a backrest portion of lesser thickness than said headrest portion, said back member being pivotable rearwardly of said side members to receive and support said seat and backrest member on said backrest portion with said headrest portion extending beyond said seat and backrest member and forming a substantial continuation of the surface of said seat and backrest member;

and a link member pivotally connected to said back member at one end thereof and pivotally connected to said seat and backrest member at the other end thereof to coordinate movement therebctween, said link member being directed angularly upwardly in the upright position of said chair to lock said seat and backrest member against said headrest portion of said back member and hide said headrest portion, and said link member being directed angularly downwardly in the reclined position of said chair to lock said seat and backrest member against said backrest portion of said back member and expose said headrest portion.

8. A reclining chair having an upright position and a reclined position and comprising:

spaced side members;

a one-piece backrest and seat member having a back supporting portion extending upwardly and a seat portion extending forwardly when in said upright position, said seat portion having pivot means extending from the underside thereof and secured to said side members to permit rearward tilting movement of said backrest and seat member relative to said side members, said pivot means being located to permit downward and rearward movement of said seat portion and said back supporting portion to said reclined position;

a back member pivotally supported on said side members and disposed therebetween and having a headrest portion and a backrest portion, said back member being positioned rearwardly of and extending upwardly only as high as said back supporting portion of said backrest and seat member to be hidden thereby when in said upright position, said headrest portion supporting said backrest and seat member when in said upright position, and said back member being pivotable rearwardly of said side members to receive and support said backrest and seat member on said backrest portion and to expose said headrest portion and permit said headrest portion to extend beyond and form a substantially continuous supporting surface with said back supporting portion of said backrest and seat member;

and means connecting said back member and said backrest and seat member to coordinate movement therebetween and maintain'said backrest and seat member in engagement with said headrest portion when in the upright position and maintain said backrest and seat member in engagement with said backrest portion when in the reclined position.

9. The reclining chair set forth. in claim 8 wherein said means connecting said back member and said back rest member includes a link member pivotally secured at one end to said back member and pivotally secured to said backrest and seat member at the other end, said link member maintaining said back member andsaid backrest 10. The reclining chair set forth in claim 8 wherein said means connecting said back member and said backrest and seat member includes a track secured to one of said members and a roller secured to the other of said members and adapted to engage said track, and spring means between said back member and one of said side members and biasing said back member toward said backrest and seat member to maintain engagement between said roller and said track in all positions of said chair.

11. The reclining chair set forth in claim 8 and further including a 'footrest member pivotally connected to said backrest and seat member and pivotally connected to said side members, and link means between said footrest member and said backrest and seat member to extend said footrest member upwardly and outwardly when said backrest and seat member is moved rearwardly.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,928,498 9/33 Mougeotte 297--308 2,473,895 6/49 Mednick 297-318 2,497,395 2/50 Cramer 2973l8 2,681,823 6/5 r Gaisman 297-308 X 2,901,026 8/59 Thaden 297--349 2,958,372 11/60 Lorenz 29787 FOREIGN PATENTS 495,664 5/50 Belgium.

509,840 10/3 0 Germany.

701,781 1/41 Germany.

774,281 5/57 Great Britain.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A RECLINING TYPE CHAIR: A PAIR OF SPACED SIDE MEMBERS; A BACK MEMBER PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED ON SAID SIDE MEMBERS AND HAVING A RECESS FORMED THEREIN AND SPACED FROM THE TOP THEREOF; A BACKREST AND SEAT MEMBER PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED ON SAID SIDE MEMBERS AND BEING SUPPORTED REARWARDLY BY THE PORTION OF SAID BACK MEMBER ABOVE SAID RECESS WHEN IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION, SAID BACKREST AND SEAT MEMBER BEING POSITIONED FORWARDLY OF SAID BACK MEMBER AND EXTENDING AS HIGH AS SAID PORTION ABOVE SAID RECESS TO HIDE SAID PORTION ABOVE SAID RECESS WHEN IN SAID UPRIGHT POSITION; SAID BACKREST AND SEAT MEMBER AND SAID BACK MEMBER BEING TILTABLE REARWARDLY TO A RECLINED POSITION WITH THE BACKREST PORTION OF SAID BACKREST AND SEAT MEMBER RECEIVED IN SAID RECESS TO EXPOSE SAID PORTION OF SAID BACK MEMBER ABOVE SAID RECESS, SAID PORTION ABOVE SAID RECESS FROMING A HEADREST, AND SAID BACKREST AND SEAT MEMBER AND SAID PORTION OF SAID BACK MEMBER ABOVE SAID RECESS FORMING A SUBSTANTIALLY CONTINUOUS AND UNINTERRUPTED SUPPORTING SURFACE; AND MEANS CONNECTING SAID BACK MEMBER AND SAID BACKREST AND SEAT MEMBER TO COORDINATE MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN. 